In response to the increasing magnitude of problems related to perinatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs, an interagency collaboration was formed that involved the California Departments of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Health Services, and Social, Services. This collaboration was named Options for Recovery (OFR), now known as the “Heritage” project. The mission was to promote the recovery of pregnant, postpartum, and parenting chemically dependent women and the enhancement of the health of their children by providing comprehensive and coordinated alcohol and other drug treatment, case management, and specialized recruitment and training of foster parents and relative caregivers.  
  
The Heritage Project in Contra Costa County is a program designed to train caregivers of the needs of babies and children who are born exposed to drugs and/or alcohol, which may also be HIV exposed, are court dependents and are under six years of age. Heritage training for foster caregivers requires 36 hours of classroom training in the areas of Childhood HIV and AIDS, Comforting the Drug Exposed Infant and Special Medical Needs and the Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Infants.

If the Heritage training is not delivered to foster caregivers, there will be less available specially trained families who will be able to care for babies and children who are born exposed to drugs and/or alcohol, who may also be HIV exposed.  

This contract supports all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: 1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; 2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; 3) "Families that are Economically Self Sufficient"; 4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and 5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families" by preparing caregivers to better meet the specialized needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system and allows transition to family reunification.